Brake-beam



J. PLAYER.

BRAKE BEAM.

Patented Aug. 31, 1897.

(No Model.)

V llllhl l WHIP TEES 00. PRO

UNTTEn STATES PATENT EErcE.

JOHN PLAYER, OFTOPEKA, KANSAS.

BRAKE-BEAM.

SPECIFICATION formingpart Of Letters Patent No. 589,270, dated August 31, 1897.

Application filed October 26, 1896. Serial No- 610,l08. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN PLAYER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Topeka, Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Brake-Beams, of which the following is a specification.

The principal object of my invention is to provide a simple, economical, and efficient brake-beam, formed, preferably, of malleable cast-iron and made in one integral structure.

A further object of my invention is to provide a brake-beam with a lever-block adapted to be rotated from right to left to form a brake-beam of right or left construction.

The invention consists principally in constructing a brake-beam comprisinga main or compression member, an angular tie or tension member, and a strut portion, all formed in one integral casting, with a removable lever-block secured to the compression member and extending in a direction outward therefrom and adapted to be rotated to form a brake-beam of right or left hand position.

The invention consists, further and finally, in the features, combinations, and details of construction hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved brake-beam, looking at it from the side, with the leverblock removed; Fig. 2, a plan view of the same with the lever-block in one of its positions, and Fig. 3 an enlarged sectional view taken on line 3 of Fig. 2.

In constructing a brake-beam in accordance with my improvements I make a beam having a main or tension member A, extending at a slight angle to a straight plane or in a manner convex in appearance and preferably T-shaped in cross-section. I provide it with a compression member B, extending atan angle opposite to the tension member but more acute, and also preferably formed T-- shaped in crosssection. I interpose between these members a strut portion 0, formed, preferably, of two parts, so that the strut in connection with the tension and compression members performs spaces 0. The brakebeam is further provided with bearing portions (0 at each end, to which the usual heads and shoes may be attached. These parts, with the exception of the strut, all join or connect at a point adjacent to the bearing portions and are formed of cast malleable iron.

To provide a lever-block so that the beam may be used in either a' right or left hand position, I make the lever-block D and rotatably secure it to the tension member on the outside, so that the free end of the leverblock extends away from the brake-beam. The brake-beam is provided with an irregular-shaped recess 0/ and the lever-block with an irregular-shaped projecting hub or boss d, adapted to fit therein and prevent the rotation of the lever-block while it is located therein. The lever-block may be removed from the recess, rotated at an angle of ninety degrees, and reinserted in the recess to allow of its being used in either a right or left hand position.

The lever-block and tension member of the brake-beam are provided with perforations or holes through which a bolt E may be passed to tie the parts together. This bolt preferably extends through the compression member of the brake-beam as well and acts as a tie-rod to tie the members together as well as hold the lever-block in position.

I claim- 1. Abrake-beam provided with tension and compression members formed in one integral casting, the outer side of the tension member having an irregular-shaped portion, a rotatable lever-block provided with an irregularshaped portion fitting the irregular-shaped portion (1 of the tension member, and means for securing the rotatable lever-block to the tension member, substantially as described.

2. A brake-beam provided with compression and tension members formed in one integral casting, the tension member having an irregular-shaped recess in its outer side or surface, a rotatable lever-block provided with an irregular-shaped projection adapted to fit the recess of the tension member and be used .in either a right or left hand position, and bolt mechanism arranged to pass through the lever-block and the truss members of the brake-beam to securely hold and tie the parts together, substantially as described;

JOI-VIN PLAY-ER;

Witnesses D. E. PAIN, E. O. BEYNON. 

